Foolishness and mayhem

David Kurtz at Talking Points Memo published this email about the descent of the health care reform debate into craziness:

It really is amazing to watch a fringe right-wing movement completely dominate the narrative surrounding the health care debate. The Democratic Party has the strongest governing coalition we have seen in years, and yet, they are being run over by misinformation campaign that includes lies so bold and outrageous that one actually grows to gain begrudging respect for the Machiavellian mindset that allows otherwise seemingly rational people to perpetuate this stuff on a public whose gullibility should never again be underestimated.

Understandable, but off base. We need to give the public more credit. I mean, c'mon, how many people are really prepared to believe that President Obama is going to reform health care with "death panels" that will pull the plug on old folks deemed too expensive to keep alive? Whoever believes that was never going to be reached in the first place.

Most Americans recognize the need for health care reform, for insuring more people and for containing costs. The spectacle of reform opponents shouting about throwing mama from the train won't "run over" the Democrats. It will make Democrats appear sane and rational.

Health care reform is an ideological struggle and an organizational change struggle. As a mainline pastor I have no small amount of experience with such struggles, both in my own congregations and in those I've observed from nearby. Where good will prevails, there is usually healthy debate in the run-up to making a decision for change. When it becomes clear that change is going to occur, one of three things happen:

1. The minority gracefully gives way.
2. The minority peaceably withdraws to another congregation.
3. The minority tries to stop change by going crazy. People lie. People steal. Yes, in churches!

When #3 occurs, the best thing that the agents of change can do is to remain unruffled. Continue to make the case, remind people why change needs to take place, ensure that the decision-making process remains intact and respected by all, and most importantly, not be jerked around by the crazies. Falsehood does need to be confronted with the Truth, but if you let the crazies set the agenda, you've lost.

That Republicans are reacting along the lines of #3 rather than #1 (#2 isn't an option) means that they either don't care that health care is expensive and inaccessible, or that they want to make the country ungovernable in order to say, "Look at those Democrats. Fools can't do a thing." Which was the dynamic I saw unfolding in one conflict racked congregation. This one family would periodically act out, and I think a lot of it had to do with them maintaining their own sense of superiority. They'd rather the congregation fail than it succeed under the leadership of people they disliked.

It's a pity that Republicans aren't choosing option #1 by negotiating for some of their reform ideas to be included in the inevitable bill. But you can't change other people. Foolishness and mayhen is lamentable, but it simply means that the Democrats have the power to do what they want.

Comments

[Lee]

I have a lot of faith in Obama's rope-a-dope technique, which has worked well up till now, but I also fear the Dems aren't doing a very good job getting their message out. Because they've focused so much on cutting costs, the point about providing universal access isn't coming through (or at least that's been my impression).